Uruguayan striker Suarez ­repeated his hat-trick from Carrow Road last season for Rodgers’ side, who had made their worst start to a season for 100 years.

“It was a special day for him and for the team,” said Liverpool ­manager Rodgers. “He finished so well. He showed great skill in all three goals.”

He had struck a hat-trick on the same ground in April but this treble could kick-start ­Liverpool’s shaky opening as they made it two victories in a week after their Capital One Cup ­triumph at West Brom.

Goals by Nuri Sahin and Steven Gerrard added to the haul. And it could have been more. Rodgers said: “Our control and dominance of the game was very impressive, so I am very pleased.

“The team, first and foremost, is the star. We scored five goals and maybe we could have had one or two more.

“We were very good and ­individually for him to score ­another hat-trick here – and ­wonderful goals as well.

“His first one was a terrific finish, his second one paid a lot to his ­mentality because he had a missed 10 seconds earlier, probably his easiest chance, but he did not let it affect him and he got the ball back very quickly. It was a great piece of skill on the edge of the box to get his finish.